WILLIAMS ANNOUNCES ROBERT C. BYRD HONORS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

HARRISBURG, March 13, 2003 – State Senator Connie Williams today announced that applications are now available for the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program. The federally-funded Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) program offers a merit scholarship to eligible high school seniors for post secondary education.

“The program’s purpose is to reward academic excellence in high school and encourage continued progress,” Senator Williams (D-Montgomery/Delaware) said.

“For the 2002-2003 academic year, the estimated amount of an award is $1,500 which could make a significant dent in a young person’s college expenses.”

The actual amount of the annual award is based on federal funding levels.

In order to qualify for a “Byrd Scholarship” a student must be a resident of Pennsylvania and a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident. Candidates must also meet all other eligibility requirements including the following educational standards:

· Rank in the top five percent of their graduating class or hold a ranking of 1, 2 or 3 in classes of 60 students or less, and

· Have a grade point average equal to a 3.50 or above on a 4.00 scale (unweighted), and

· Have a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) total score of 1150 or above or an American College Testing (ACT) composite score of 25 or above.

Students may obtain an application from their high school guidance counselor or by contacting PHEAA at 800-692-7392 or by visiting www.PHEAA.org.

The deadline for applying is May 1, 2003.

For more information, please contact one of Senator Williams’ district offices at 610-992-9790 or 610-853-5433.